By: Tara Jennings
As someone who experienced kindergarten in the late ’70s, I can confidently say that school life back then was a whole different ball game. Yes, I’m that vintage. Today, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and explore 13 ways education in the ’80s diverged from what we know today.
- Naptime: Kindergarten was a mere half-day affair, which meant we still had time for naps. Teachers understood that keeping the attention of 20 kids for four hours straight was unrealistic. Naps were mandatory. The classroom would dim, mats would be laid out, and getting up during nap time? Absolutely not!
- Latchkey Kids: We walked to and from school unsupervised, proudly wearing our house keys around our necks. After school, it was all about Twinkies, TV, and endless conversations on the corded phone. Homework? Rarely a concern.
- Homework Load: Speaking of homework, it was a breeze—one page on light days and maybe two if we were feeling adventurous. If math and writing collided on the same day, it was highly acceptable to shed a tear or two.
- Hair Trends: The girls’ bathroom was a hub of creativity with hair picks and cans of Aquanet hairspray. Bigger hair was always better, and yes, we even had cordless curling irons. Safety? Who cared? If you burned yourself, it was just fate at work.
- Physical Education (PE): The PE we knew involved merciless dodgeball games and the threat of getting smacked in the face. Remember Red Rover? It was a rite of passage. And team sports? You better believe there were captains picking players, with me usually being the last one standing—classic natural selection.
- Hot Lunches: Lunch was an event. We had actual meals cooked by someone (often a lunch lady named Betty), complete with dessert. And woe to the kids who misbehaved; they faced the wrath of the rubber spatula.
- Cold Lunches: If your parent packed your lunch, you either rocked a metal lunchbox or a brown paper bag. The lunchbox choice determined your social status—metal was cool, while brown bags screamed “unpopular.”
- Fashion Choices: There were two categories of kids: those who shopped at Kmart and those who didn’t. No in-between. You either flaunted Guess jeans or succumbed to the unflattering attire from Kmart, leaving you in the Club of Sad Jeans.
- Milk at Lunch: You could buy milk separately for your lunch. If you were fortunate, it cost a dime; if not, you had a sad blue card that screamed “I’m not financially secure,” which was never good for your reputation.
- Self-Esteem: Back then, no one gave two hoots about your self-esteem. It was something you had to figure out elsewhere.
- Curriculum Standards: If by the end of kindergarten you could recite the entire alphabet and write it down, you were practically a genius. IQ testing? You bet!
- Playtime: We played marbles without a care in the world about choking hazards. It was all about survival of the fittest.
- Discipline: And yes, spanking was a reality. Visiting the Principal was akin to a walk down the Green Mile—definitely not a fun experience.
Despite it all, those years shaped who we are today, even if I still can’t play team sports. For more insight into family life today, check out our post on home insemination kits. Also, don’t miss these essential baby shower gifts that new moms truly appreciate, which are great for anyone diving into parenthood. Plus, for those considering assisted reproduction, IVF resources can be invaluable.
In summary, the landscape of education in the ’80s was uniquely different from today, characterized by a carefree attitude towards self-expression, social hierarchies, and much more relaxed learning environments.